title: Withania somnifera improves semen quality by combating oxidative stress and cell death and improving essential metal concentrations.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of a 3-month treatment with Withania somnifera on apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration of spermatozoa and the metal ions copper, zinc, iron and gold in seminal plasma from infertile men (normozoospermic, n=25; oligozoospermic, n=25; and asthenozoospermic, n=25). The apoptotic and necrotic cell distribution were analysed by annexin-V binding and propidium iodide uptake using flow cytometry. ROS generation was measured by fluorescence intensity and metal ions were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results demonstrated that, prior to treatment, sperm apoptosis and intracellular ROS concentrations were significantly higher in all groups of infertile men compared with controls (P<0.01 to P<0.001). Similarly, the concentrations of the essential metal ions Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(2+) and Au(2+) in seminal plasma were lower. Treatment with W. somnifera significantly reduced apoptosis in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men and ROS concentrations in oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men (all P<0.05). Treatment also significantly improved metal ion concentrations in infertile men (P<0.01). It is concluded that W. somnifera improves semen quality by reducing oxidative stress and cell death, as well as improving essential metal ion concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3-month treatment with Withania somnifera on apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration in spermatozoa from infertile men. Before and following treatment, sperm apoptosis and concentrations of intracellular ROS and the metal ions copper, zinc, iron, and gold in seminal plasma were measured. The apoptotic and necrotic cell distribution were analysed by annexin-V binding and propidium iodide uptake using flow cytometry. ROS generation was measured by fluorescence intensity and metal ions were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results demonstrated that prior, to treatment, apoptosis and intracellular ROS concentrations were significantly higher in all groups of infertile men compared with controls. Similarly, the concentrations of the essential metal ions Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(2+) and Au(2+) in seminal plasma were lower. Treatment with W. somnifera significantly reduced apoptosis and ROS concentrations and improved metal ion concentrations in infertile subjects. It is concluded that W. somnifera improves semen quality by reducing oxidative stress and cell death and improving essential metal ion concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow 226003, UP, India.
authors.forename: Kamla Kant
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow 226003, UP, India.
authors.forename: Abbas Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahdi
authors.affiliation: Food Toxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, UP, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, UP, India.
authors.forename: Singh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajender
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow 226003, UP, India.
authors.forename: Satya Narain
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sankhwar
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, UP, India.
authors.forename: Devender
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Food Toxicology Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, UP, India.
authors.forename: Mukul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D006046:Gold / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006046:Gold; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc